TALKING PINTS: Guys explore Indiana made beer

Eilise Lane, CEO and brewer at Scarlet Lane Brewing Co.

Dave: Indiana Breweries are sprouting up faster than weeds in the vegetable gardens at Bilger Manor, which means we have plenty of local beer to taste and review and bring to you.

Darrick: You're probably worried about your favorite beer columnists having to work too hard to bring you news about great Indiana raised craft beer, but fear not - Dave and I have been training and conditioning our palates for the day when Indiana had so many craft breweries that we'd have to put in overtime just to cover them all.

Dave: We all know that craft beer is an exciting roller coaster of flavor where the hills are hops and the turns are a tapestry of malt flavors. Craft brewers are constantly pushing the bounds of creativity to develop the next memorable variation on a beverage that is older than civilization itself.

Darrick: Sounds like a daunting challenge, adding new variations on an old theme? Fortunately, craft brewers are a bunch of folks who can rise to any challenge.

Dave: You know all about brewers adding hops by the truckload or aging beer in bourbon barrels and used wine barrels. Those techniques produce some amazing and memorable results.

Darrick: One more trick up the sleeve of brewers is adding variations on a theme. The idea is that a brewery will introduce a limited release beer and give it a name. The next year, they will reintroduce the beer with the same name, but made with a slightly, or maybe totally different recipe.

Dave: While the industrial brewing giants will spend millions making sure that the famously branded light American lager bought today tastes exactly like the one they made 5, 10, and 20 years ago, some craft brewers take great pride in ensuring that no two years are alike for their storied brews. This ensures a bit of a vintage character that fans can save, share, and discuss as the years roll by.

Darrick: Like fine wines, these craft brews will have different character that changes each year. What's more, many of these great vintage beers are designed to age well for years, and time also changes the character of the beer.

Dave: Newly opened Scarlet Lane Brewing Company in McCordsville has introduced just such an ale that will be altered over time by design. Try it now before you miss out.

Beer: Dorian Stout

Available at: Heorot, 219 S. Walnut St., Muncie

Brewery: Scarlet Lane Brewing, McCordsville

Style: American Stout

ABV: 5%-11% depending on the version

Darrick: Dorian is listed as an American stout. It pours like a stout with an inky darkness and a light tan head. No surprises there. When you stick your nose in the glass, the excitement starts.

Dave: The bouquet (yes, I said bouquet) is awash with roasted coffee, Italian cream, and rich coconut. It's a little bit like sipping Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee on the beach. That's a very good thing.

Darrick: The flavor is sweet stout with enough roasted malt and coffee character to balance out the sweetness. The texture is creamy without making you think you just finished a meal in a glass. This is a great candidate to pair with grilled meat or to sip by the fire while roasting s'mores.

Darrick Ayers and Dave Bilger are local craft beer aficionados and homebrewers.

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TALKING PINTS: Guys explore Indiana made beer

Dave: Indiana Breweries are sprouting up faster than weeds in the vegetable gardens at Bilger Manor, which means we have plenty of local beer to taste and review and bring to you.